No, Wait! If You Order Now – Get 2 for $19.95 Plus S&H!
Posted by Kyle in Administrative Assistants, Business Practices on 05 19th, 2009I was reading a blog post by a colleague, Carol D’Annunzio, today about another blog post recommending that other business owners ‘test drive’ a virtual assistant.
Carol makes excellent points about virtual assistants being business owners – not employees, we don’t work for a ‘wage,’ and we certainly should not be willing to be test driven. A lot of new virtual assistants feel they should lower their rates to get clients, give away some hours, compromise standards – all to get a client. It reminds me of the guy on tv who pimps a product and then says, “Wait! Order now and you get two for the price of one! All you pay is extra shipping and handling!”
When virtual assistants use these marketing techniques, I think it comes from a place of fear or desperation. How do I know? Well, been there, done that, have a T-shirt. Oftentimes, a business owner does need that first client or perhaps their business is the primary source of income for a family. However, I would recommend strengthening standards and expectations instead of lowering them.
Why?
Most VAs are strong believers in the Law of Attraction. You attract what you are putting out in terms of clients, business, and more. I have proven to myself time and time again, that if I stick to my standards and expectations – guess what? I attract the best clients and they seem to come out of the woodwork. Working with my coach, Stacy Brice, has helped me develop a client base of the best clients. And, she challenges me to stick to my processes.
I have a consultation process for potential clients. When I stick to it, I actually attract clients who are a great fit for my business. The process entails 1) a short 10-minute call to see how well we like each other’s voices, 2) assessment questions, and 3) one or two 60-90 in-depth telephone calls that get into how the client runs their business, how my business works, and the details of working together.
I will not be test driven by a potential client. I think that is disrespectful – would you consider test driving a plumber? A lawyer? A doctor? I think not.
Remember – you are a business owner and by that alone, you can determine how you run your business, how you will permit others to treat you, and what processes and standards you put in place for your business. That does not mean you won’t change or morph along the way. I would hope you do as you learn what you like, don’t like, will accept, won’t accept and more. A static business is not a growing and successful business.
read comments (0)Happy Administrative Professionals Day!
Posted by Kyle in Administrative Assistants on 04 22nd, 2009I have more than 18 years of administrative experience in the corporate world, 5 as a virtual assistant/business owner and still have many colleagues working in the brick and mortar arena. In addition, I am active in the International Association of Administrative Professionals as a Division President.
Each year we honor those in the administrative field with Administrative Professionals Week and Day. For one day, they get flowers, lunch, and ‘maybe’ an educational seminar. In some companies the administrative professional is the lowest person on the totem pole. In others – they are treated like gold. Why the discrepancy? Who knows.
Administrative professionals can be some of the most highly talented and skilled individuals that actually keep their company running and their bosses sane. They have moved from the pearls and getting coffee stage to the project manager/jack of many trades stage. They can provide solutions to technical issues, plan meetings and events – and pull them off spectacularly. By keeping up with technology, administrative professionals can also offer companies money-saving ways to hold meetings virtually and reduce travel costs.
Yet, I often hear that companies do not value their input or job position. Sad. I still remember a response from a survey I took just a couple of years ago when an administrative professional said she was told in front of others that a trained monkey could do what she does.
As a virtual assistant and business owner, I don’t have to deal with that attitude. Why do we still have to deal with it in the workplace?
My hat is off to the thousands of administrative professionals today, tomorrow, and the day after.
You are amazing!
Happy Administrative Professionals Day!
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